Critical Thinking Skills – Academic Success Guide 2025

Critical thinking is essential for achieving high academic grades. It shows that you can not only understand but also evaluate academic sources, research findings, and arguments.

 

 

 What is Critical Thinking?

According to MacMillan & Weyers (2011), critical thinking means:

“Making a careful judgement after balanced consideration of all aspects of a topic.”

This means you must question your own knowledge and the research you encounter. You are expected to:

• Examine the credibility of expert opinions
• Evaluate the research methodologies used
• Assess the interpretation and validity of findings
• Reflect on omissions or inconsistencies in the data
• Form evidence-based, justified conclusions

 Step-by-Step: How to Think Critically

1. Evaluate the Literature

Ask these questions when reviewing any source:

• Who is the author, and are they credible in this field?
• How did they arrive at their conclusions?
• Are the aims and objectives of the research clear and fulfilled?
• Is the research method appropriate and unbiased?

Use tools like CASP or the CEBM appraisal tools for structured evaluation, especially in health-related fields.

2. Compare and Contrast Expert Views

Research broadly to identify agreement or disagreement among experts. Arrange your sources chronologically to track development over time. Newer studies may confirm, refine, or contradict earlier findings.

3. Don’t Just Describe – Analyse

Rather than retelling what others say, focus on the weight of evidence and how it supports your argument. Let your references work for you, not the other way around.

4. Critically Evaluate Your Own Writing

Ask yourself:

• Have I clearly stated the aims and addressed the learning outcomes?
• Is my structure logical and aligned with the aims?
• Does my conclusion bring everything together effectively?
• Are my sources reliable and up to date?
• Have I avoided personal bias or unsupported claims?
• Is my argument supported by sufficient and appropriate evidence?
• Have I presented examples to support theories or models?
• Is my writing concise, accurate, and free from grammar or spelling issues?

 Final Tip

Critical thinking isn’t about being skeptical for the sake of it. It’s about forming intelligent, well-reasoned judgments based on evidence. That’s what distinguishes top-tier academic writing.